Day: September 27, 2016

Turkey Tracks: My Post Sailing Surprise

Turkey Tracks:  September 27, 2016

My Post Sailing Surprise

I’m pretty sure I’ve written about how challenging my garden has been this–now past–summer.

(Fall really has come to Maine.)

We had cool temps at night until August, when I was finally able to get some zucchini and cucumbers to germinate.  And then there is the ongoing drought, which is very severe.  I have a well, so I have been worrying about it going dry, as many in the region have.  I do not think we will have much leaf color this year either as the leaves are just turning brown and dropping off the trees.

I left for my “Slow Sewing at Sea” sail on the J&E Riggin with some small cukes forming on vines that were now running everywhere and zucchini plants blooming.  (The Sun Gold cherry tomatoes and chard I planted from bought plants are doing great–and maybe that will be the trick next year.)

So, on Sunday, after Bellevue High School classmate (1963) Penny Rogers Camm left to drive home (Burlington, Vermont)–taking with her the cut blocks FOR HER FIRST QUILT, I mowed.  Imagine my surprise when I suddenly saw this zucchini nestled in the cold frame among the zucchini leaves and stalks:

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Good Lord!!  How did that happen???  It’s HUGE.

I cut it up today and put the pieces in the dehydrator–along with the Sun Golds cut into half, which I let ripen inside for two days.

That’s the last garden tomato of this season in the blue bowl.

And the light yellow squash is a spaghetti squash, a squash I love.

Now, when I use the dried zuke this winter, I’ll remember my reaction when I first saw it.  And I will laugh.

Turkey Tracks: Slow Sewing at Sea Windjammer Cruise: The J&E Riggin

Turkey Tracks:  September 27, 2016

 

Slow Sewing at Sea Windjammer Cruise:

The J&E Riggin

We had a blast!!!

I know where I’ll be next September 22nd–God Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise:

Slow Sewing at Sea on the windjammer J&E Riggin, led by Rhea Butler of Alewives Quilting (Damariscotta Mills, Maine), courtesy of Co-Captains Jon Finger and Annie Mahle of Rockland, Maine.

You can feel the peace and serenity on deck with this picture.  It was heavenly to sew under the sun while we passed dropped dead gorgeous sights.  We also did a LOT of laughing and sharing.  For more pictures, go to Facebook/Instagram sites for Alewives Quilting and the J&E Riggin.

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I think we got the last two warm days of summer–hardy sailers swam TWICE!

Here’s Mary B, wearing her signature pink hat–ringed with pins from her various trips/experiences.

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Here’s me with Captain and superb cook Annie Mahle.  Boy did she spoil us with her outstanding culinary creations this trip–all local, clean, and glorious dishes.

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Here’s where we went this trip:

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We boarded Tuesday night, sailed on Wednesday late morning, and fall came in with a bang on Thursday night.  The cooler temps and some rain did not faze anyone.  We went right on sewing and sewing down in the warm galley–those of us who did not stay up on deck in foul weather gear to enjoy the clean, crisp fall air.  We returned to Rockland on Saturday morning.

Rhea Butler worked with Lucy Boston English Paper Piecing (EPP) this trip, and I learned so much from her, including a new stitch that really works so that stitches are not seen on the front of your work.  I also learned so much from my fellow passengers.  I came home with a boatload of new friends, many of whom will come back next year, and some of whom I will see again over the winter as they live just south of Camden.